DR. JOHN D. GODMAN. 25 



tending manner which would have called forth 

 innumerable positive contradictions had they been 

 untrue. Mysteries are stated without attempt at 

 explanation, because explanation is not necessary to 

 establish the existence of facts, however mysterious. 

 Miracles, also, attested by the presence of vast num- 

 bers, are stated in the plainest language of narra- 

 tion, in which the slightest working of imagination 

 cannot be traced. This very simplicity, this unaf- 

 fected sincerity, and quiet affirmation, have more 

 force than a thousand witnesses more efficacy than 

 volumes of ambitious effort to support truth by dint 

 of argumentation. 



What motive could the evangelists have to falsify ? 

 The Christian kingdom is not of tliis world, nor in it. 

 Christianity teaches disregard of its vanities, depre- 

 ciates its honours and enjoyments, and sternly de- 

 clares that none can be Christians but those who 

 escape from its vices and allurements. There is no 

 call directed to ambition, no gratification proposed to 

 vanity : the sacrifice of self, the denial of all the 

 propensities which relate to the gratification of pas- 

 sion or pride, with the most humble dependence 

 upon God, are invariably taught and most solemnly 

 enjoined, under penalty of the most awful conse- 

 quences. Is it, then, wonderful that such a system 

 should find revilers ? Is it surprising that sceptics 

 should abound, when the slightest allowance of 

 belief would force them to condemn all their actions ? 

 Or is it to be wondered at that a purity of life and 

 conversation so repugnant to human passions, and a 

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